On Monday, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq instructed the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the abduction of Intezar Panjutha, a lawyer associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, taking into account his mental state.
Panjutha was discovered distressed and bound in a vehicle in Attock on Saturday night, just days after his disappearance from the capital. The alleged kidnappers escaped, abandoning their vehicle with the lawyer inside, after being intercepted by police following a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Additional Attorney General for Pakistan (AAGP) Ali Bukhari appeared before the IHC for an update regarding Panjutha’s case. He informed the court that he received a call from the Inspector General of Police confirming Panjutha’s successful recovery.
“I collected Intezar Panjutha from the Kohsar Police Station. He was in a very poor condition,” Bukhari said, voicing concerns about the possibility of similar incidents happening to others.
Justice Farooq commented that a civilized society must uphold freedom of expression. He instructed the additional AGP to address the increasing cases of missing persons.
“Islamabad has reached a point similar to Karachi. People I know personally have received extortion notes,” he remarked.
He urged authorities to take action, emphasizing the deteriorating law and order situation in the federal capital.
Justice Farooq stressed that incidents like Panjutha’s abduction must cease, even if viewed as a mere kidnapping for ransom.
The additional AGP noted that Panjutha was rescued thanks to the efforts of AGP Mansoor Usman Awan, but expressed concern that the matter was being portrayed negatively.
In response, CJ Farooq stated that AGP Awan is a law officer who contributed significantly to the case, and there should be no negative campaigns against him.
A petition had been submitted to the IHC for the recovery of Panjutha, who had been missing since October 8. After his recovery, the lawyer revealed that he had been abducted from Islamabad for a ransom of Rs20 million and had endured severe torture at the hands of his captors.
